A Glimpse of Cuba: March, 2004

The members of the jointly sponsored Plowshares Institute and Hartford Seminary traveling seminar to Cuba from March 9 to 18 were impressed with Cuba’s commitment to the social welfare of all its people.  UN statistics affirm that Cuba has the highest literacy rate for any country in South America; and approximately the same as the United States and Canada.  Cuba provides free of charge the most comprehensive delivery of basic health and educational services of any nation in Latin America.  Citizens also have assured access to basic shelter and nutrition.  These are exciting accomplishments when compared to Cuba’s Latin neighbors, who, with the exception of Costa Rica, struggle with staggering levels of illiteracy, disease, inadequate education, malnutrition, and homelessness.